Involuntary Manslaughter

St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorneys – (314) 334-3807

When someone in Missouri is accused of killing someone through recklessness
or negligence, not the actual intent to cause harm, it is categorized
as the serious
violent crime of involuntary manslaughter. In many situations, this crime occurs due
to a car accident, so other states sometimes call it “vehicular
manslaughter” instead. No matter the exact circumstances, the charges
filed against you when accused of involuntary manslaughter will be a felony
of some degree.

If you are convicted of involuntary manslaughter, penalties are likely
to include:

At least three years in prison, up to 10 years

At least $5,000 in fines and fees, up to $10,000

Multiyear driver’s license suspension if vehicular related

Start thinking about how you can protect your rights, freedom, reputation,
and finances right now by getting in contact with The Hammer Law Firm, LLC. Our
manslaughter defense attorneys in St. Louis have decades of collective experience managing complicated
defense cases. We know the finest details in a defense case like yours
can make all the difference I the end, so we meticulously pore through
all available evidence, case laws, and so forth when crafting your defense.

Three Distinct Forms of Involuntary Manslaughter

Missouri law breaks involuntary manslaughter cases down into three main
categories:

Driving while impaired: A specific form of manslaughter charges filed against someone who causes
the death of another person due to their impaired driving. In addition
to manslaughter charge penalties, the defendant can be subjected to DWI
charges and the penalties associated with that separate crime.

Second-degree manslaughter: When the defendant unknowingly acts in a negligent or reckless manner that
results in the death of another. For example, someone who has never handled
a firearm before accidentally bumps the trigger while inspecting the gun,
discharging the weapon, and killing a bystander. The prosecution will
have to prove the defendant acted in a way that “grossly”
deviated from the actions a “reasonable person” would have
taken in the same situation.

First-degree manslaughter: When the defendant knowingly acts in a negligent or reckless manner that
results in the death of another. For example, someone discharges a firearm
wildly into the air for entertainment but a bullet strikes someone in
the distance and kills them. The defendant obviously should have known
the action was dangerous and could have feasibly caused severe injury
or death. When speaking of vehicular manslaughter, first-degree manslaughter
charges are often brought against someone who was intentionally speeding
or weaving through traffic before causing a crash.

For Every Charge, There is a Defense – Find It With Us

You might feel as if the criminal justice system has you in a corner when
charged with involuntary manslaughter. Do not give up or give in. Call
(314) 334-3807 to explore your defense options with our St. Louis manslaughter defense
lawyers. We can use our collective defense experience to work towards
the best possible outcome, be it a case dismissal due to a lack of evidence,
a not guilty verdict from a jury, or a significant charge and sentencing
reduction.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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